Military Bass

I know this can be a touchy subject for some tax payers, but without starting any flame wars I would like to know about military TB'ers who play bass in their position.
How was the auditions? What is expected of you and how you rate it. I know there are at least two or three of you and this is a point of interest for me. Please feel free to elaborate because I really am considering this.

Originally posted by Hungry Soul I know this can be a touchy subject for some tax payers, but without starting any flame wars I would like to know about military TB'ers who play bass in their position.
How was the auditions? What is expected of you and how you rate it. I know there are at least two or three of you and this is a point of interest for me. Please feel free to elaborate because I really am considering this.

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And I've done my share of 'crapper duty in my time', too!

I've got a unique perspective, having been in the U.S. Army as a bassist and now in the U.S. Air Force.

How were the auditions? Well, obviously different. The Army's was harder in that I never played with anyone. Just me and a bass. Additionally, I saw some much harder material in that audition. However, it was easier to pass - meaning the quality of musicianship in the Army is much lower than in the Air Force. The Air Force audition, while being very real world - play with a rhythm section, play with a big band, etc - was much tougher to pass. After being a professional for 15 years, I almost didn't get the gig.

What was expected of me, or what is? I was expected to display near complete knowledge of my instrument, bottom to top. I was expected to display first rate sight reading skills (serious stuff, here), solid time, great feel and have extensive knowledge of styles. I am expected to not only maintain these skills, I'm expected to improve them. I'm also in a unique postion in the AF, in that bassists in the AF are supposed to be proficient on electric and upright (classical as well as jazz). I passed my audition on the strength of my electric playing and am now in the process of learning string bass. Very difficult, but I'm getting there.

The military is not for everyone, to say the least. But it's been a great gig for me. I play every day, with top drawer musicians. I get time to freelance in the civilian sector (if I want to, because I get paid enough after so long that I don't "have" to), my band will buy my instruments and gear for use at work. (I don't have a bass bought by uncle sam, but my rig at work is an Aguillar DB750 and Bergantino 212 and 310 cabs)

I consider myself extremely lucky to be doing the job I do, and work hard to make sure that my current employer wants me to keep doing it. In short, I LOVE my job!

Originally posted by Big Wheel Oh, and ChaosGwar, I did not forget about you. I didn't know you were one too. I would have added neptoon also, but I knew he wasn't playin' for the military.

Question: I know the army has chaplains. Are there rabbis too?

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Yuppers, I'm in the AF, stationed rather close to you and Jazzbo, up at Travis.

To answer your question, Yes.

A chaplain isn't neccessarily a priest, they can be priests, rabbis, Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Wiccan, Native American Indian, or a member of any of the numerous religions. The most common chaplains are non denominational Christian ministers, and Rabbis.

Despite your feelings on the military, corrupt or not, this is not the thread to discuss it. If you feel you must discuss it in open forum, do it in off topic, but let's not hijack Hungry Soul's thread. He asked a very honest and simple question. Pacman did a good job of answering it. Let it lie for the love of Bob.

Amazing what a simple search on the internet will reveal to the curious.

Having spent 11 years in the Army, I can tell you that I rarely ran into Band members. They seemed to be somewhat separate from the world I delt with. I don't mean that in a bad way. You would see them involved in ceremonial occasions, etc. Once in a while the groups incorporating an electric or upright bass would have a show at the NCO club (which I couldn't attend as an officer), or at Brigade dining-outs or balls. Things like that.

Originally posted by AllodoX yeah ok, but now i still don't know what playing bass in the military does / means ?

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The Army, and Air force, and I'm sure the Navy and Marine Corps have bands. It is a career field all on it's own, IIRC.

Pacman can tell you a lot more about what all they do, but I know they play military events and ceremonies, and have quite a bit of playing time in the surrounding area. The band here at my base plays opening game for the Oakland A's baseball team, amongst a vast array of other "civilian" gigs.